Pro Football Weekly feature on David Veikune

PFW = Pro Football Weekly

PFW Note: “Browns rookie David Veikune is making the transition from defensive end to outside linebacker, but the second-round pick from Hawaii does bring some experience in pass coverage — perhaps the biggest challenge for a player making such a position switch. Veikune occasionally dropped into coverage when the Warriors played “zone-dog” defenses in passing situations. In such a scheme, the Warriors blitz five players and have six players drop into coverage, with a defensive end and a linebacker responsible for the receivers running underneath while the cornerbacks and safeties play over the top.”

About how Veikune would drop into pass coverage and in their “zone-dog” D, UH DL coach Dave Aranda said:
“He would make the drop according to what he saw.” (PFW)

Note: Aranda told PFW that Veikune was the hardest-working player he had ever coached.

About Veikune’s movement skills at their rookie minicamp, head coach Eric Mangini said:
““I’ve been really happy with what I’ve seen. He is fluid for someone his size, for someone who has limited exposure to standing up. (PFW)

PFW Note: “Aranda told PFW that playing the run shouldn’t be a problem for Veikune, either, even after playing in the pass-happy Western Athletic Conference, noting that Veikune uses his hands well and plays with physicality.”